DIVERSITY DISCOURSE SERIES
How Can Your DEI Program Make a Real Difference?
Proactive — the surprising relevance of the Six Degrees of Executive Presence to your Diversity program
What It Means
Proactive. This means acting in anticipation of future problems, needs or changes.
You are not going to wait around for things to happen before you act. Instead, you are taking steps to prepare for and handle the things, including both complications and opportunities, that may arise. Instead of reacting to events, you are meeting them at a place of your choosing.
When the situation is uncertain, people look to leadership with an inclination to act. This makes it more likely that the actions taken will have a positive impact.
Things to Consider
For DEI programs, what are you seeing or hearing now and what does that bode for the future? What can you do now, today, to make tomorrow go better or seize future opportunities?
It’s like the difference between merging into traffic by paying attention to the flow of traffic as soon as you drive onto the on-ramp vs. ignoring the other cars until just before you run out of road.
Does your program typically need for something bad or big to happen before it jumps into action? By action I mean the type of action that makes a difference and leaves a mark.
It doesn’t have to be all negative. If you foresee some positive developments, what can you do now to prepare to ride the wave when it arrives?
I’m reminded of a scene from the Netflix show about female wrestlers, G.L.O.W., where Sandy Devereaux St. Clair, played by Geena Davis asks the character Liberty Belle, “you mean you didn’t prepare to succeed?”
Your Turn
In the comments, please share your ideas about what DEI programs can do to be more proactive. You don’t need to be an underrepresented professional, a Diversity Professional, or any sort of expert to weigh in. You just need to understand what it means to be proactive and have a perspective on the current and future state of diversity in your organization and society.
In Action
For a fun, illustrative example of being proactive, check out this clip of the “Man in Black” who truly understands how to be Proactive in a life and death situation. Ha ha ha ha ha ha —
Next week, we’ll explore Equanimity.
As you wish,
Joe Kwon, the Connection Counselor
Learn more
This article was adapted from the new leadership book, Unlock Your Executive Presence: Feel like a Boss. To find out more about Executive Presence and access free leadership videos, podcasts, and guides, go to www.connectioncounselor.com.
New release! Try the brand new course Executive Presence and the Diversity Dilemma on Udemy.com. It’s the only course that not only teaches you how to generate Executive Presence, but provides strategies specifically for underrepresented professionals. Check out the preview today!
As the Connection Counselor, Joe Kwon helps busy professionals elevate their careers by teaching them how to connect to anyone, anytime, anywhere. His emphasis is on practical learning, delivered in an entertaining, heartfelt, and inclusive manner.
An acclaimed coach and keynote speaker with over 20 years of experience in Corporate America, his goal is to help you unlock the best version of yourself.
Joe holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Virginia (Go Hoos!), a law degree from Georgetown University (Hoya Saxa!), and lives in New Jersey with his wife and son.
